The NBA is averaging 16,993 fans per game through January 13, down 1.2% from the same period a year ago. Eastern Conference teams are down 2.2% to date, as nine of 15 teams in the conference are seeing dips at the gate. The Pistons are the only team in the conference seeing a double-digit decline, off 16%. The 76ers rank last in average attendance at 13,313 per game, and are the only team in the conference below 70% capacity. However, beginning with G Allen Iverson's first home game on December 7, the 76ers are averaging 14,390 fans per game through 10 home games, up 20.3% from 11,966 fans for eight games before that date. With the Bobcats in position for their first playoff berth, the franchise is seeing home attendance up a conference-best 6.4% at Time Warner Cable Arena. Listed below is team-by-team attendance for NBA Eastern Conference teams through January 13, with comparisons to the same period last season. See tomorrow's issue of THE DAILY for Western Conference attendance (THE DAILY).

NBA EASTERN CONFERENCE ATTENDANCE THROUGH JANUARY 13

HOME TEAM

GMS

TOTAL

AVG.

% CAP.

PREV.

% +/-

GMS ('08-09)

Bulls

20

412,874

20,644

98.7%

20,968

-1.5%

19

Cavaliers

17

349,554

20,562

100.0%

20,455

0.5%

19

Knicks

19

372,476

19,604

99.2%

19,243

1.9%

16

Celtics

16

297,984

18,624

100.0%

18,624

0.0%

21

Pistons

17

314,901

18,524

83.9%

22,076

-16.1%

18

Raptors

18

318,093

17,672

89.3%

18,904

-6.5%

18

Magic

18

314,298

17,461

100.0%

16,728

4.4%

19

Heat

21

364,912

17,377

88.7%

17,530

-0.9%

18

Wizards

17

289,743

17,044

84.5%

16,796

1.5%

20

Hawks

19

303,376

15,967

85.3%

16,098

-0.8%

19

Bucks

18

268,345

14,908

79.6%

15,254

-2.3%

17

Bobcats

18

264,916

14,718

77.1%

13,827

6.4%

22

Nets

18

246,820

13,712

72.3%

15,100

-9.2%

21

Pacers

19

255,696

13,458

74.1%

13,801

-2.5%

16

76ers

18

239,627

13,313

65.5%

14,013

-5.0%

17

E.C. TOTALS

273

4,613,615

16,900

86.6%

17,280

-2.2%

280

NBA TOTALS

568

9,652,195

16,993

88.8%

17,202

-1.2%

565

NOTES: Teams can exceed 100% capacity because of standing-room-only ticket sales. All attendance figures are based on totals posted immediately following games. It may not reflect any subsequent adjustments made by teams or the league.